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| Kalanihale, a non-profit that works at Miloli'i, will receive a Hawai'i Tourism Authority grant for its program Protecting Marine Natural Resources through Cultural & Traditional Management. Photo from Kalanihale |
HAWAI'I TOURISM AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED recipients of $1.576 million in funding this week to "preserve and regenerate Hawai'i’s natural resources" through "accelerated destination management efforts" of its Aloha 'Aina program for 2022.
Recipients "include qualified nonprofit organizations that are protecting and improving the natural environment, helping to Malama Ku'u Home (care for my beloved home) and support a more holistic, regenerative tourism model for Hawai'i," says the HTA statement.
Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, HTA Chief Brand Officer, said, “The Aloha ʻĀina program is a way for the Hawai'i Tourism Authority to directly support the organizations making a difference in our environment by educating and engaging people in the stewardship of our natural environment. We appreciate the efforts of these organizations and the communities that have embraced them as we collectively mālama our home.”
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| Kapapala Forest is one of the areas considered by Hawai'i Forest Institute which will receive an HTA grant. Photo from Hawai'i Forest Institute |
The Aloha 'Aina part of HTA’s 2025 Strategic Plan is aligned with the State’s Aloha+ Challenge framework for natural resource management. HTA also states its support for the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Since 2010, HTA has provided nearly $12 million in total funding to support 345 community-based organizations and projects that help to manage, improve and protect Hawai'i’s natural environment.
HTA selected Hawai'i Community Foundation to administer its Aloha 'Aina program for 2022 for its experience in working with nonprofits in the Natural Resource sector and the organization’s collective action approach through its CHANGE Framework.
“HCF is proud to support HTA’s Aloha 'Aina program because of its unique approach to engaging organizations across the State who are working to address natural resource issues,” said Michelle Kauhane, Senior Vice President of Community Grants & Initiatives at HCF. “The awardees in this year’s cohort bring the strength of community-led solutions that truly emphasize collective action and shared goals of a more abundant and thriving 'aina.”
A request for proposals was issued on Sept. 15, with submittals from applicants received by Oct, 29.
For more information about the Hawai'i Tourism Authority's Aloha 'Aina program, visit: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/what-we-do/hta-programs/natural-resources/
Since 2010, HTA has provided nearly $12 million in total funding to support 345 community-based organizations and projects that help to manage, improve and protect Hawai'i’s natural environment.
HTA selected Hawai'i Community Foundation to administer its Aloha 'Aina program for 2022 for its experience in working with nonprofits in the Natural Resource sector and the organization’s collective action approach through its CHANGE Framework.
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| HTA grant recipient Kupu is accepting applications for summer through Feb. 25. See kupuhawaii.org. |
A request for proposals was issued on Sept. 15, with submittals from applicants received by Oct, 29.
For more information about the Hawai'i Tourism Authority's Aloha 'Aina program, visit: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/what-we-do/hta-programs/natural-resources/
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"GET A BOOSTER, YOU'RE SAFE. GET A BOOSTER, YOU'RE NOT THE THE ICU," says physician and Lt. Gov. Josh Green. Green, who started his medical career in Kaʻū, worked an emergency room on this island this weekend and urged folks to be vaccinated.
He said tons of Omicron cases from Christmas and News Years are going "crazy high," though hospitalizations are not going up as much as during the Delta surges. Green said Omicron cases are mostly mild disease. The Delta variant was six times more severe, but, "What you need to do is go get a booster." In his New Years message Green said, "The sun has come up and we're going to get through this together." He said there will be lots of cases of Omicron but he hopes Omicron peaks in the next two weeks. Green recommends checking out measures to protect from the disease and finding vaccine clinic locations at www.hawaiicovid19.com.
A DRIVE TO KAMUELA FROM KAʻŪ MAY PROVIDE VIEWS OF THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS but the annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival has been cancelled. The County made the announcement on Friday, saying the coordinating committee met to discuss the event scheduled for Feb. 5 at sites throughout Waimea. Maurice Messina, Director of Parks & Recreation, said the group discussed the surge of Covid-19 cases on Hawai‘i Island and whether it "is appropriate at this time to hold an event that has traditionally attracted 30,000+ visitors to the Waimea area."
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| Lt. Gov. Josh Green, also a physician, is working an emergency room on this island this weekend and encouraging every unvaccinated person to take the jab. Photo from Green |
"GET A BOOSTER, YOU'RE SAFE. GET A BOOSTER, YOU'RE NOT THE THE ICU," says physician and Lt. Gov. Josh Green. Green, who started his medical career in Kaʻū, worked an emergency room on this island this weekend and urged folks to be vaccinated.
He said tons of Omicron cases from Christmas and News Years are going "crazy high," though hospitalizations are not going up as much as during the Delta surges. Green said Omicron cases are mostly mild disease. The Delta variant was six times more severe, but, "What you need to do is go get a booster." In his New Years message Green said, "The sun has come up and we're going to get through this together." He said there will be lots of cases of Omicron but he hopes Omicron peaks in the next two weeks. Green recommends checking out measures to protect from the disease and finding vaccine clinic locations at www.hawaiicovid19.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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| A Lion Dance with a Cherry Blossom Festival costume. The cherry blossoms will be there but the 29th annual Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival has been cancelled due to Covid concerns. Photo from Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival |
Messina said, "Many people have
worked hard to make the Cherry Blossom Festival one of the island’s premier events, and the committee expressed that they felt obligated to cancel this year’s event out of concern and love for their community."
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| Bird in the cherry blossoms. Photo by Gabriel Rodrigues |
The coordinating committee and the county Culture & Education Division "will work on a plan to pay tribute to all those who have helped bring the Cherry Blossom Festival from its humble beginnings to what is now a cherished annual event on our island. Several community partners have already pledged their support to assist in developing, coordinating, and producing newspaper inserts to ensure our communities can reminisce about what makes this annual tradition so special,” Messina said. “Although we regret to have to cancel this year’s event, we’re looking forward to bringing back the traditional Waimea Cherry Blossom Festival in 2023 – which will be its 30th anniversary.” For more information, contact the department’s Culture & Education Division at 961-8706.
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HIGH SURF WARNING FOR THE WEST SIDE OF KAʻŪ and up the Kona Coast is the word from the National Weather Service. The message predicts large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet high Sunday night and 8 to 12 feet on through Monday morning for all west facing shores of the Big Island.
ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN OCEAN VIEW will hold in-person worship in the church on Sunday. The officiant is Father Corbet Clark. For those who are unable to attend in person, here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85987340947?pwd=VmJOUWkvM3lCT0N2cVN2RUFiM1kzQT09. Meeting ID is 859 8734 0947. Passcode is Aloha.
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| Green is the high surf warning area. Map from National Weather Service |
"Expect strong breaking waves, shore break and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming, difficult and dangerous," warns the National Weather Service. "Large, breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous currents make entering the water very hazardous."
NWS predicts: "Light winds and mostly dry weather will continue into Monday across the islands. A weak front is expected to move down the island chain Monday night and Tuesday, boosting winds and shower activity. Behind the front, expect another burst of cooler air. Light and variable winds will lead to land and sea breezes during the second half of the week."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN OCEAN VIEW will hold in-person worship in the church on Sunday. The officiant is Father Corbet Clark. For those who are unable to attend in person, here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85987340947?pwd=VmJOUWkvM3lCT0N2cVN2RUFiM1kzQT09. Meeting ID is 859 8734 0947. Passcode is Aloha.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
KAʻŪ HIGH BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM's game against Kamehameha on Friday at the Robert E. Herkes Gym in Pāhala was postponed and will be rescheduled. No spectators are allowed, under new COVID rules.
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| After practice onThursday, a Trojan basketball at home against Kamehameha on Friday was cancelled and will be rescheduled. Photo from Ka`u Athletics |
KAʻŪ HIGH BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM's game against Kamehameha on Friday at the Robert E. Herkes Gym in Pāhala was postponed and will be rescheduled. No spectators are allowed, under new COVID rules.
Coaching the Trojans are Douglas Porter and Assistant Coach and JV Coach Troy Gacayan.Trojan team members are: Jezekial Jara, Ivan Ramos, Kaimana Manini Kaupu, Bulla Mukini, Kealiikoa Reyes-Nalu, Micah Espejo, Cyrus Eder, Jonah Beck, Marky Tamayo, Keenan Toriano, Emman Badua and Jensen Villa;
Collin Hanshew, Ocean Nihipali-Sesson, Kaleem Libunao-Martinez, Patrick Riehle, Brayden Andrade, Jaeston Karasuda, Jeston Penera, TJ Faafia, Vladimir Fedoruk, Triton Blanco, Keaka McDonnel and Roger Miguel.
Collin Hanshew, Ocean Nihipali-Sesson, Kaleem Libunao-Martinez, Patrick Riehle, Brayden Andrade, Jaeston Karasuda, Jeston Penera, TJ Faafia, Vladimir Fedoruk, Triton Blanco, Keaka McDonnel and Roger Miguel.
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| See archives of The Ka`u Calendar at www.kaucalendar.com and find the monthly print copy in mailboxes from Volcano through Ocean View. |
